Fujifilm Sued for Falsely Advertising X-Pro3 as Having ‘Reliable Durability’
Fujifilm is the subject of a class-action lawsuit that alleges the company falsely advertises its X-Pro3 as having “reliable durability” despite using “defective ribbon connector cables.”
Photographer Jethro Inong has filed the class-action complaint in New York and alleges that the Fujifilm X-Pro3 is not “durable, capable of functioning reliably and remaining in proper working condition for years to come” as the company claims in its marketing.
The X-Pro3 was originally announced in 2019 and was advertised as a rangefinder-styled mirrorless camera made with street photographers and photojournalists in mind. The camera is still available to purchase new today for $1,800.
The complaint says that despite multiple lines of advertising language that Fujifilm uses to promise “outstanding durability” for years, the camera instead does not function reliably and is not free of flaws, damage, or deficiencies due mainly to the camera’s use of defective ribbon connector cables that loosened or disconnected on their own after what is described as normal and intended use.
“This defect in turn caused the viewfinder(s) and/or the LCD touchscreen to glitch or stop working altogether, affecting the function and capabilities of the device,” the lawsuit claims.
“Most consumers have encountered this defect and the related issues without warning. In fact, many experienced the defect unexpectedly, once loosening or disconnection occurred. However, the defect was present and continuously evolving much sooner than noticed or experienced. This is because the ribbon connector cable mechanism is too weak to withstand normal use, frequent opening-and-closing, and switching between view modes.”
A brief search does bring up multiple threads and stories that note this LCD issue, so it does not appear that Inong’s complaints are without merit. Inong’s complaint also includes other screenshots and references to additional complaints from other users.
“Consumers expect a camera represented — directly or indirectly — as durable, capable of functioning reliably and remaining in proper working condition for years to come, especially when it is marketed to have ‘outstanding durability’ and ‘revolutionary hybrid OVF/EVF and hidden LCD touchscreen,’ to function reliably and remain free of flaws, damage, and deficiencies,” the complaint continues.
The lawsuit accuses Fujifilm of unjust enrichment and for violating New York state consumer fraud acts, namely the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act and the New York General Business Law. Inong is seeking monetary, statutory, and/or punitive damages and interest as well as the costs and expenses associated with filing the lawsuit.
Fujifilm did not immediately respond to PetaPixel’s request for comment.
